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[Ed Tilley]

Royal County Down and Royal Portrush are two courses that are often bracketed together due to their proximity and quality. Numerous publications make reference to a ‘fierce debate’ about which is the finer of these two great links. Having recently had the good fortune to play both within a 24 hour period (Portrush at 2pm last Thursday, RCD at 8am on Friday), I thought it would be interesting to do a hole by hole comparison, scoring as if in a boxing match to see if, from my perspective, there was a clear winner.

At the outset, I should confess that I don’t believe there really should be a debate.  Portrush is undoubtedly a great course - one of the 4 or 5 finest courses I’ve played -  whereas RCD stands apart as far and away the best course I’ve had the pleasure to experience. I played Portrush on one of the finest days you will ever likely get – glorious sunshine and very little wind, with the rough cut well back. At RCD, it was at least a 3 club wind with intermittent showers / downpours, although the mountains were fully visible for most of the round.

As I was stupid enough to forget my camera, I have borrowed the photos from a combination of the course reviews on this site, and the wonderful www.golfarchitecturepictures.com . If I have offended anyone by doing so I apologise.

RCD first three
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Portrush first 3
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Portrush's first hole, a mid length par 4, possesses a great green site, and I can personally attest to the fearsome nature of the front left bunker. However, the OOB either side of the fairway has an unnatural look and makes the hole slightly unsatisfactory for me. The first at RCD, a reachable par 5, is simply a great opening hole - a hugely attractive and inviting drive that gets the golfing juices flowing from the off, with danger (namely the beach) lurking down the right hand side.  A decent drive will tempt the golfer to go for the green, wonderfully sited in a small dell, but danger lurks left and right. First round to RCD by a distance, 10-8

Both courses have strong second holes. Portrush is a lovely see-saw par 5 that bends to the left through a natural valley. The green is beautifully sited at the base of the dune. At RCD, the 2nd drive is completely blind, although the fairway is wide. However, only those drives down the centre of the fairway will have a view of the green, which is small and raised and all too eager to kick balls off to the side. Portrush 10-9

Portrush has a very attractive short 3rd to a raised green with ample protection. on a windy day this would be a very difficult target and the views are wonderful. The 3rd at RCD, however, is another world class hole. A long par 4, dog legging to the right through a valley to a green at the base of a huge dune. Nothing but 2 of your best will do here. RCD 10-9.

I will post further pictures and comments in 3 hole segments. Feel free to comment / call me an idiot at any stage.

[George Pazin]

You're an idiot - if you think anyone will call you an idiot! (Besides me....)

Thanks for sharing, hope others will chime in.

[Joe Hancock]

Keep posting pictures like that and I will respectfully call you Mr. idiot.

 

Joe

[Ash Towe]

Joe, thanks for posting the pictures.  Keep them coming!

[Matt_Ward]

Ed:

Great pictures indeed !

When you say the rough at Dunluce was cut "way back" I would hope you can explain that further. In my time at Dunluce the fairways were too narrow and often provided hay-like rough for shots that missed by just the tiniest of margins.

If Dunluce were widened to reflect a bit more concern with maximizign playing angles it would play far better than its desire to highlight a penal dimension from many of the tees. Since you played it recently I'm quite curious if this situation has now changed.

County Down, for me, is really about the front half of holes. The back nine is good but it's quite noticeable in terms of the overall stature of the course moving at cruise control and not really cutting anynew ground beyond what the opening 9 holes provide IMHO.

[Matthew Hunt]

Does anyone think the first tees would be better where the bushes are here? It would turn a good tee shot both strategically and aesthetically into a really good one   

[Kyle Krahenbuhl]

Ed,

A few years back I had the chance to play the two courses on back to back days as you did.  I completely agree with you that Portrush is a fantastic course, but Royal County Down takes it to another level.  I'm looking forward to the completion of this thread.

[Ed Tilley]

Ed:

Great pictures indeed !

When you say the rough at Dunluce was cut "way back" I would hope you can explain that further. In my time at Dunluce the fairways were too narrow and often provided hay-like rough for shots that missed by just the tiniest of margins.

If Dunluce were widened to reflect a bit more concern with maximizign playing angles it would play far better than its desire to highlight a penal dimension from many of the tees. Since you played it recently I'm quite curious if this situation has now changed.

County Down, for me, is really about the front half of holes. The back nine is good but it's quite noticeable in terms of the overall stature of the course moving at cruise control and not really cutting anynew ground beyond what the opening 9 holes provide IMHO.

Matt,

I don't know whether this is a permanent thing or just due to the time of the year but the rough was genuinely cut - not just lacking in growth from the winter months. E.g. The first hole had no rough at all between the OOB posts. At the second, the rough had been cut, to fairway height, a good 10 yards on either side. This treatment was consisitent throughout the course compared to the pictures. The pictures above scared me more than a little when I saw them - I'm not the straightest driver, but i found the course very playable. A missed drive did not automatically equate to a lost ball as I had been warned. That said, it was still a mighty test.

Ed

[Ed Tilley]

RCD 4-6

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Portrush 4-6

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A great stretch of golf on both courses.

The 4th hole at Portrush is a true world class hole – wonderful natural contours on the fairway, with an all world green site tucked in a dune. Throw in the fabulous setting and it’s difficult to believe that it could possibly lose. However, the 4th at RCD is one of the game’s great par 3’s. A stunning backdrop, a terrifying carry over, in early summer, a sea of golden gorse, and a fantastic green site make this RCD’s round – just. RCD 10-9

A medium length par 4 with a partially blind drive, swinging to the right, to a wonderfully sited green, with a stunning backdrop. This description could equally be applied to both 5th holes. RCD’s 5th is a world class links hole but doesn’t set the pulses racing like Portrush’s 5th - an inspiring, all world hole. If playing this hole doesn’t make you feel glad to be alive, then it’s either absolutely miserable weather or you really shouldn’t be on this site. Portrush 10-9

Portrush’s 6th is a tricky, medium length par 3 in amongst the dunes. It almost goes without saying that the green site is superb – this really is Portrush’s biggest strength. RCD’s 6th is a short / medium 4 with another blind drive. As on most of the blind drives at RCD, a reasonably wide fairway awaits. The strength of the hole is it’s tiny raised green which, in the wind, can be a devil to hold. On the card, the golfer is thinking 3, but a 5 or worse can easily await those who approach without care. RCD 10-9. 

After 6 holes RCD 58 Portrush 55

[Brad Tufts]

What an awesome debate...what I see so far (I played each once in 7/07), let's see if my conclusions mirror Ed's:

#1s:  RCD's is a gentle opener, although a good place to take a shot where you will likely be giving them back later.  A saddle fairway helps straight drives go even straighter, a broad, deep green offers a chance to chip close for birdie or par.  Portrush may have the OB, but this is easily one of the more devilish greens on the course.  It would take many rounds to feel comfortable with this approach.  Portrush 10-9.

#2s:  RCD has a blind drive, and a semi-blind second, an introduction to what the player will face for much of the rest of the round.  Not a hard hole, but increased challenge and interest from #1.  Portrush's short par 5 second is comparable to RCD's #1 in challenge, and it also is a place to take a shot where the rough will gobble at least one later.  Portrush's undulations make its #2 more interesting.  Portrush 10-9.

#3s:  RCD is a long hole, the first brute of the round, and the challenge has been escalated.  A long drive is needed to a fairway that ends in a rise, and the green is below a marker pole.  Deep, wild bunkers await the sliced fairway wood or long iron.  The green is mercifully flat and open, but the game is getting there.  At Portrush, we have a relatively benign par 3, but with severe trouble for the missed short iron.  RCD 10-8.

#4s:  RCD has a beautiful longish par 3 from one of the greater panoramas in Ireland.  The entire course is below, and from here is looks like a minefield of gorse, grass-edged bunkers, and heather.  The green is underrated with steep fall-offs on three sides and a bunker on the fourth.  At Portrush, the fourth is one of the strongest par fours on the course, complete with centerline bunkers, interesting fairway undulations, and an attractive green set in a ring of dunes.  Tough call here, a draw? 9-9.  Is that allowed?

#5s:  RCD's fifth is an elegant left to right par four that takes the round into some serious landforms.  The drive is blind to a wide fairway, and the green is seemingly open yet exacting, with long slopes and shoulders to complicate chipping or putting.  At Portrush, the fifth is on of the showcase holes.  Bite off as much as you dare, if you fail your ball is at the mercy of the rabbit trails and clumps of tall grass.  However, there is ample room for the conservative, if they do not mind an uneven lie to a two-tiered elevated green.  Another tough call, but Portrush 10-9.

#6s:  RCD plays a blind drive to a wide fairway, but the green is the showpiece here.  The inverted saucer green would rival any at Pinehurst, and is one of the smallest at RCD.  A techincal hole requiring an accurate tee shot (not necessarily with driver), and a pinpoint wedge.  At Portrush, an attractive par three with your back to the cliffs towards the Giant's Causeway, but not one of the more memorable holes on the course.  RCD 9-8.

Through 6 holes, I have Portrush 55 - RCD 55!

[Clark Whalen]

Well, I'm certainly enjoying this match. Wonderful pictures and great memories of both courses having played them multiple times over the past 10 years. It's hard to take issue with either scorecard given the strengths of both County Down and Portrush... however, I've nominated RCD as having the best front nine in golf on this site before. Now I'll have to see if my personal #1 seed (with apologies to the ongoing NCAAs) loses to another arguable #1 seed in the "North" bracket!

[Matt_Ward]

Ed:

I have to wonder if it's a time of the year type of thing. Frankly, I was genuinely put off that a course of the stature of Dunluce would have to resort to the "let's narrow the landing areas and flank them with hay-like rough." The design - as your photos clearly indicate -- demonstrates the caliber of the holes.

I have to hope that the powers-that-be have taken to heart the idea that eliminating width was a smart thing to do. Dunluce doesn't need hay-like conditions -- minus the extreme wayward drive -- to handle all types of players.

Gents:

Keep in mind this -- regarding Dunluce v County Down. The former doesn't fall off much, if anything at all, between the outer and inner nines. At CD -- the drop-off to the return nine is noticeable and often little is said when people assess the total time there.

What would make for an interesting four-ball contest is Dunluce & County Down versus the likes of Sand Hills and Ballyneal. If push comes to shove I'll take the American duo.

Matt,

I don't know whether this is a permanent thing or just due to the time of the year but the rough was genuinely cut - not just lacking in growth from the winter months. E.g. The first hole had no rough at all between the OOB posts. At the second, the rough had been cut, to fairway height, a good 10 yards on either side. This treatment was consisitent throughout the course compared to the pictures. The pictures above scared me more than a little when I saw them - I'm not the straightest driver, but i found the course very playable. A missed drive did not automatically equate to a lost ball as I had been warned. That said, it was still a mighty test.

Ed

[Sean Leary]

Matt,

Do you feel the same way about the rough/gunsch at Prairie Dunes?  The fairways are much wider at PD, but the gunsch is similar at both in terms of playability..

[Matt_Ward]

Sean:

Good question.

I don't have any issue with hay-like rough provided the width situation is also included. Too often courses of utter distinction believe they need to add a penal / lost ball dimension into the mixture when the quality of the design doesn't need this "help" from man's hands through such irregular actions.

I've played PD and love the layout -- ditto my fondness for Bethpage Black. But I am concerned - especially with the latter -- with its penchant to narrow the fairways to extremes and then adding insult to injury with rough that only permits a sideways play back to the fairway. Recovery is part and parcel of the game -- minus the extreme wayward drive.

My time at Dunluce was a bit of disappointment through such actions and I'm happy to hear from Ed the situation has indeed changed.

Candidly, in my mind, courses that overdose on rough are trying to make-up for a lack of real distinction with the actual design. Courses like Dunluce don't need such a contrivance.

[Sean Leary]

Is it a cost/maintenance issue (ala PD) more than a "lets make it brutally tough"? I don't know just asking. There are a couple of drives at the Dunluce that are ridiculously tight, where I agree, it is just too much.

Prairie Dunes did a bunch of clearing of non prairie grasses (anything with a wooded stem, basically) in the fall.  They also are doing a burning this spring.  Places like roght of 7 were playable actually, and it took a bit of teeth out of that drive (where right means re-tee normally).

It will be interesting to see what it plays like after the burn (as well what Coore's  slight modifications to the 2nd green look like).

[Ed Tilley]

RCD 7-9

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Portrush 7-9

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Portrush’s 7th is a very tough hole – stroke index 1. It flows left with heavy rough both sides. The second is difficult to a slightly raised, well bunkered target. A solid, if unspectacular hole. RCD’s 7th is a formidable short par 3. As the second picture shows, don’t go left. However in the prevailing wind – into and from the right – this is easier said than done. On the scorecard this looks easy, but can play very tough. RCD 10-9.

Portrush’s 8th is a charming short par 4 that, after a partially blind drive, turns to the right through a valley in the dunes. The green site is again the strength, beautifully tucked into the dune. A real cracker. RCD’s 8th is a mighty par 4. It bends gently uphill and to the right. The green is situated at the top of the dune and there is no future for the player who hits it left. What manner of man could make a 3 here into a 3 club wind – honestly I don’t like to talk about it (and I definitely don’t want to talk about the other 17 holes). A real heavyweight clash but the honours must go to Portrush. Portrush 10-9.

Portrush’s 9th is a strong hole – a reachable par 5 doglegging to the right. The fairway is a bit of a rollercoaster and the green site is again a strength. Last week, the rough was cut back and it was very playable. However, if the rough is grown in, it can be fearsome, and in my view less of a hole. RCD’s 9th is one of the most photographed holes in golf, and one of the most thrilling. The blind drive over the steep hill is tricky but the fairway below is wide and flat. The view from the top of the hill is sensational. The second shot is long and exacting to a beautifully sited green, slightly raised at the base of a dune. Without the rough at Portrush, RCD 10-9. (with the rough up, this would change to 10-8).

At the turn. RCD 87, Portrush 83. Can RCD cling on in the back nine? 

[Andrew Bertram]

Thanks Ed

A wonderful thought provoking discussion.

I was fortunate to play both in 2006. Very hard to split the front nines with the stunning 4th and 5th at Portrush against the sheer overall beauty fo RCD.

I look forward to the back nine.

 

[Andrew Mitchell]

Wonderful stuff Ed.  I'm eagerly awaiting updates.

RCD (& to a lesser extent Portrush) has been on my wish list for a few years now.  This thread tells me I really must make the effort to go there before long.  What is there for a non golfing wife to do in the area for those four or five hours?

[Brad Tufts]

55-55 after 6 holes...

#7s:  RCD has a short par three playing into the wind around an interesting brow of a fronting hill.  A pulled shot finds one of the many grass swales around the green.  The only miss here is right.  At Portrush, a very narrow, difficult hole with a big green.  Not the best hole at either course, but #7 at RCD is much more fun.  RCD 9-8.

#8s:  RCD's long par four 8th has another deceptively wide fairway with quite a bit of undulation.  The green is uphill, into the breeze, and surrounded by trouble.  Portrush has a short par four of about 350, where a long iron from the tee will suffice.  The approach is to a green tucked into the rolling dunescape.  RCD hands down, 10-8.

#9s:  RCD's best hole?  This long par four plays blind over and down a huge hillside, the view from the top is the stuff of dreams.  The green is also deceptive, accepting only long shots over fronting bunkers, with the heather-covered Matterhorn short and right.  #9 at Portrush is a short par five, asking for little more than a straight drive.  RCD 10-8.

RCD picks up the pace....84-79 after the front.

[Ed Tilley]

Wonderful stuff Ed.  I'm eagerly awaiting updates.

RCD (& to a lesser extent Portrush) has been on my wish list for a few years now.  This thread tells me I really must make the effort to go there before long.  What is there for a non golfing wife to do in the area for those four or five hours?

The Slieve Donard hotel - the red building you can see at the back of the 9th - has just spent several million upgrading its spa facilities. Apparently it recently won an award for being one of the top spas in Europe. I can't personally vouch for this as, when I stayed there, it hadn't been upgraded. It also accepts Tesco clubcard vouchers if you're collecting them - I'm thinking of taking the family there next summer.

[Paul_Turner]

I think most would have County Down up,  overall I reckon the only better features at Portrush are its greens:  more interestingly contoured than County Down's.

12-13 H.S. Colt holes in that lot

PS 7th is one of Portrush's great holes.  A draw, then fade, S shaped hole with a wonderful green complex.

[Jeff Doerr]

Thanks Ed!

I look forward to the back nine slugfest.

I love RCD, but one thing that strikes me about the images from Portrush is the bunkers, They have a great scary style that gets you thinking, "How deep is that thing?"

[Andrew Mitchell]

Wonderful stuff Ed.  I'm eagerly awaiting updates.

RCD (& to a lesser extent Portrush) has been on my wish list for a few years now.  This thread tells me I really must make the effort to go there before long.  What is there for a non golfing wife to do in the area for those four or five hours?

The Slieve Donard hotel - the red building you can see at the back of the 9th - has just spent several million upgrading its spa facilities. Apparently it recently won an award for being one of the top spas in Europe.

Thanks Ed - my chances of playing RCD in the future have now increased massively

[mike_malone]

 As RPR moves away from the shoreline the holes on average lack definition , particularly on the tee shots. I often wonder where to hit the ball. RCD has more interesting angles on its tee shots in the interior.

[Ed Tilley]

RCD 10-12

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Portrush 10-12

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Portrush’s 10th hole is another par 5 bending to the right. This is a solid hole on the lesser part of the property. While the green site is again superb, it is not one of the course's best. RCD's 10th is a solid par 3, with an intimidating tee shot from right in front of the members' bar window. The green is attractively situated and while neither hole is outstanding, RCD just shades it 10-9.

Portrush's 11th is a medium length drop shot par 3 to a small target ringed by bunkers. It is a very attractive but exacting hole. RCD's 11th is intimidation personified. the drive is as blind as blind can be - a 40ft dune sits right in front of the tee. The hole bends attractively left over the dune but the green complex is relatively flat. Portrush 10-9

Portrush's 12th is a superb links hole with a lovely rippled fairway and yet another superbly sited raised green. RCD's 12th is a relatively gentle reachable par 5. A par 4 and a half, it provides welcome respite from the relentless challenge on offer elsewhere but as a stand alone hole it loses out. Portrush 10-9.

After 12 holes

RCD 115, Portrush 112

[Matthew Hunt]

Ed, would your rating for RCD 12 change if it was a par 4.

[Ed Tilley]

Matthew,

I like no. 12 at RCD. It's nice to have a half par hole which is slightly easier than par rather than the other way round - 15 is a harder hole and it's a par 4. I think it fits in very nicely at RCD but, as a stand alone hole, 12 at Portrush is better.

Ed

[Brad Tufts]

#10s:  RCD has a pretty par three nestled in the grand amphitheater of the surrounding dunes.  It is also one of the oldest remaining holes at RCD that still is in its generallly original form.  A pretty hole, its setting being its most important feature.  #10 at Portrush is another shortish par five, challenged by fairway bunkers in the crook of the turn, and several drop-offs around the green.  Two decent holes, but nothing spectacular.  RCD 9-8.

#11s:  RCD plays over the huge hill to a blind fairway, and the entire hole slopes right to left.  The drive is intimidating, and very unique, although the approach is straightforward unless to a right pin.  At Portrush, there is an attractive par three that plays harder than it looks.  Slight misses are severely penalized.  This hole is nice to look at in the same way at RCD #10.  Again, two decent holes, but nothing spectacular.  Portrush 9-8.

#12s:  RCD #12 is a benign par five with a fairway that slowly dips to a broad, flat green, but flanked by bunkers short left and right.  At Portush, twelve is a hard hole that drives into the wind, with many fun fairway undulations and a small push-up green.  These two will never make a calendar either, but 12 at Portrush is a stronger hole. Portrush 10-9.

RCD is ahead 110-106.

[Ed Tilley]

RCD 13-15

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Portrush 13-15

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Both 13th holes are real highlights. Portrush’s 13th would almost be at home at RCD. A drive up and over a large dune reveals a glorious view as you reach the top. The approach is downhill to an extremely attractively sited green. A real gem. RCD’s 13th winds its way right through a gorse flanked valley. The drive is tight. Long and left gives you a view of the green. You can’t see it, but there is plenty of room right and no future for a ball that goes left. Two superb holes but Portrush shades it 10-9.

RCD’s 14th is a solid long par 3. With almost a heathland feel it is, in common with a lot of holes at RCD, a tough par. Portrush’s 14th is an all world long par 3. A terrifying tee shot with a drop off to the right that has to be seen to be believed. Anything left is safe but a difficult up and down. There is a fabulous view to the right over the Valley course, a real gem in its own right. Portrush 10-8

Portrush’s 15th hole seems a bit contrived – a way to get from the 14th green to the lower ground and the final holes. A straight hole over the brow of a hill that drops sharply to a nicely contoured green, this is probably the weakest hole on the course. RCD’s `15th, by contrast, is a beautiful monster. The drive is to a wide uphill fairway, with the mountains dominating the background. The second is long over broken ground to a green that repels any shot that is not purely struck. A harder hole than the par 5 12th, anyone recording a 4 here should be very satisfied.  RCD 10-8.

Score with 3 to play. RCD 142, Portrush 140

[Ed Tilley]

RCD 16-18

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Portrush 16-18

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Portrush’s 16th starts the section on the flatter part of the property. A mid length par 4 that doglegs sharply to the right, the strength of the hole is again the green site with a sharp drop off to the left. RCD’s ‘new’ 16th is a vast improvement on the old, slightly odd hole. A very, attractive hole, it is driveable under certain conditions. The green is a strength, sloping away from the golfer. A 50 yard pitch to a front left pin position can be next to impossible. RCD 10-9

Portrush’s 17th is dominated by the massive bunker to the right of the fairway. This is reminiscent of the himilaya bunker at St. Enodoc and should be avoided. The second part of this par 5 is on very flat ground and the green complex is perhaps the least interesting on the course. RCD’s 17th attracts much criticism, mainly for the pond some 280-300 yards off the tee. The green complex is excellent, sitting at the top of a rise but the hole is very much on the poorer part of the property. Portrush 10-9.

Two difficult and well bunkered holes finish the courses. Portrush’s 18th is a long par 4 which requires 2 well struck shots. Whilst hard, it is not an attractive hole running alongside a busy road. RCD’s 18th occupies relatively flat terrain but has almost 20 bunkers. A long par 5, the green is superb, being raised and difficult to hit with anything other than a short iron. RCD 10-9.

The final score

RCD 171, Portrush 168

Front nine - RCD 87, Portrush 83
Back nine - Portrush 85, RCD 84

[Brad Tufts]

And down the stretch they come:

#13s:  RCD's thirteen is a brilliant hole routed through a valley in the gorse-covered dunes.  The shaggy bunker edges and the gorse bordering the hole effectively narrow the safe playing area.  The green is larger than it looks, and is surrounded by a good amount of fairway and short game space.  Portrush's par four thirteenth plays over the highest point of the course, and offers one of its best views from the fairway past the green to the ocean.  Another good hole with two fun shots.  Tie! 10-10.

#14s:  RCD has a good par three, the furthest point from the clubhouse.  The entire green slopes from right to left, the front part severely into guarding bunkers.  The hole looks relatively benign, but this is far from the truth.  At Portrush, Calamity is simply one of the best and most challenging par threes in the world.  The player stands on the tee thinking the entire course is built around this one shot.  Portrush 10-8.

#15s:  The fifteenth at RCD is a brutal par four of over 450 yards, made even longer periodically by being played dead into the wind.  The tee shot is semi-blind up a rise, and the second is to a broad green on the far side of broken ground.  An underrated hole, 15 is played by most players as a par 5.  At Portrush, the 15th is a fun hole with an awkward second.  Strangely, layup shots and driver bombs seem to congregate in the same location in the rough on the left side of the fairway at the bottom of the slope.  The green here feels too large to fit the inevitable short approach.  It's not horrible by any stretch, but more of a filler between Calamity and the finish.  RCD 10-8.

#16s:  RCD's sixteenth is the drivable par four on the course, and unfortunately is a bit awkward at 260 yards from the visitor tees.  From there, the shot is almost like a long par three, but from the fairway, the green is very small and sloped, and surrounded by drop-offs.  A fun hole that fulfills the one type of hole lacking to this point.  At Portrush, the par four sixteenth is the first flat hole, and the approach is the star shot.  The hole narrows due to bordering whin-covered mounds that obscure much of the green.  RCD 9-8.

#17s:  The much-reviled #17 at RCD is a long par four down to the pond (which has been in evidence since the very early 1900s b.t.w.), then rising to the large undulating green.  Not a stunner, but the pond is really not in play for most, and the green has its wide bowl shape.  At Portrush, the par five seventeenth is focused on the "Big Bertha" bunker off to the right of the fairway.  Mounds to the left protect the eighteenth green, and also hide the left half of the fairway, pushing shots toward BB.  The second and third shots are probably the least interesting on the course, as they are dead flat, and the green is an extension of the fairway.  Portrush 9-8.

#18s:  RCD's 18th is a bit of a slog, but not surprising as both courses finish on the flattest parts of their respective land.  The par five at RCD is long and straight, slowly rising and splitting almost two dozen bunkers on the way.  The green is interesting however, as it is pushed up attractively about 4-5 from its surroundings.  The finisher at Portrush is long, a converted par five that plays 450 yards today.  The hole is dead flat, has 8-10 flanking bunkers, and the green is large and flat as well.  Most American courses save the best for last, but many Irish courses keep the best land for the middle and the meat of the match.  I like the Irish version better.  RCD 9-8.

Final Score:  RCD wins 164-159.

Have I proven anything?  My score is near identical to Ed's (though I gave more 8s), and seems to reflect the general prevailing opinion.

I tried not to be biased by my sunny round at RP, and my overcast 14 holes at RCD, before the 50 mph soak-you-to-the-bone maelstrom we played into on holes 15-18.  I would love another crack at both!     

[Matthew Hunt]

Great posts Ed, I am intrested to know why you would put RCD's 16th ahead of its 13th.

[Bill_McBride]

Ed, thanks for the great photos of both courses.  I saw Portrush from the Valley course last fall and it looked pretty awesome up above.  We had drinks at the main clubhouse after our round and I agree the holes near the clubhouse are not too inspiring.  (We weren't able to get on the Dunluce.  )

I didn't play Newcastle but was at the Walker Cup matches and saw how its supposed to be played!  The youngsters were amazing on both sides, both in length and finesse.  The first hole is 550 yards or so, Colt Knost hit an iron to 5' for eagle!

The middle photo of the 18th appears to be about 250 yards from home, the approximate spot from where Jonathan Moore hit the match winning shot, a 4 iron stinger that landed some 50 yards in front and ran up to 4' for an eagle.  I was about 15 feet behind him and couldn't really see much, but his teammates who were off to the side starting jumping up and down like lunatics, it was such a great shot under the circumstances.    This came after a discouraging 3 putt at #17, so you can imagine how thrilled young Jonathan was.

Thanks for all your effort putting this comparative study together!

[Matthew Hunt]

I didn't play Newcastle but was at the Walker Cup matches and saw how its supposed to be played!  The youngsters were amazing on both sides, both in length and finesse.  The first hole is 550 yards or so, Colt Knost hit an iron to 5' for eagle!

In the final day singles in the group I was raking bunkers for, the American hit a 8-iron into the 1st green it was just silly!

[Brian_Sleeman]

Thanks for the ride...those are some incredible photographs.

If there's a place that calls out to me more than RCD, I don't know what it is.  I can't wait to make that trip - from the photos alone I already want to move there.